Inventors:
Arthur Davis - New Orleans LA
International Classification:
F04B 3500, F01L 2506
Abstract:
An air compressor for inflating pneumatic tires of a motor vehicle is particularly adapted to be powered by the negative pressure created at the intake manifold of the vehicle engine. The piston of a reciprocating air pump has a direct mechanical coupling with the plunger of a pneumatic cylinder assembly for driving the air pump. The cylinder assembly in turn is operated by the negative pressure of the intake manifold through a unique valve control system which automatically directs the negative pressure flow in a manner to reciprocate the plunger and hence, drive the air pump piston. In preferred forms, the plunger presents a greater operating area than the air pump piston whereby a pressure multiplying effect is provided to obtain the relatively high inflation pressures required for many pneumatic tires.